Anti-Semitism Adapts and Thrives

The oldest hatred has assumed a new form for a new age: hostility to Zionism and Israel.

It wasn’t a failure of Holocaust remembrance that explains why Frazier Glenn Miller opened fire outside two Jewish community facilities in Overland Park, Kan., murdering three people on the day before Passover.

Miller, a 73-year-old former Ku Klux Klan grand dragon, knows all about the Holocaust – enough, at any rate, to extol Adolf Hitler as "the greatest man who ever walked the earth" and to shout "Heil Hitler!" after his arrest. Like his hero, Miller is obsessed with Jews. Asked once in an interview whom he hated more, blacks or Jews, he didn't hesitate: "Jews!" he said. "A thousand times more!"

Such anti-Semitic malevolence led 70 years ago to the Shoah – the industrial-scale annihilation of two-thirds of Europe's Jews: six million men, women, and children, among them my father's parents and four of his brothers and sisters. They were murdered not as a means to an end – not for their money or their land or because they posed a military or political threat – but as an end in itself. Hitler's purpose in exterminating the Jews was for the Jews to be exterminated.

For decades after the Holocaust, it was tempting to believe that such genocidal prejudice against Jews was a thing of the past, at least in the enlightened West. The world had seen what anti-Semitism at its most uninhibited could do. What people had been sure could never happen had happened – but by harnessing the power of memory, we could ensure that it never happened again. So Holocaust memorials and museums were erected in cities large and small. Concentration-camp survivors published their memoirs and spoke about their experiences. Students were taught about the Nazis and the Final Solution. Yom HaShoah – an annual Holocaust Remembrance Day, which we mark this week – was added to the calendar each spring.

But Jew-hatred hasn't been purged. On the contrary: It has erupted in recent years with shocking scope and strength. It has been revived "in the halls of parliament and in the streets," writes political scientist Daniel Jonah Goldhagen in a new book, The Devil that Never Dies. "Among elites and common people. In public media, places of worship, and in the privacy of homes. Where Jews live and where they do not."

An old-style white-supremacist neo-Nazi like the shooter in Kansas, evil as his crime was, is the least of this resurgent threat, especially in this country. Hitler-idolizing anti-Semites like Miller, widely regarded as abhorrent, are a negligible phenomenon in the United States. His deadly rampage was instantly condemned across the board; only among the kooks did anyone express support for Miller's vilification of Jews.

Where anti-Semitism is gaining market share today is not among those who yell "Heil Hitler" or demonize Jews as Christ-killers. The oldest and most protean of hatreds has assumed a new form for a new age: hostility to Zionism and Israel. The classic anti-Semitic motifs – Jews are aliens, Jews are murderous, Jews are rapacious, Jews are disloyal, Jews manipulate governments – have been repurposed for a post-Holocaust generation that speaks with a post-Holocaust vocabulary.

Sophisticated and educated Westerners today know better than to blame "the Jews" for society's ills, or to suggest that the best solution to the "Jewish Problem" is for Jews to disappear.

But it is widely acceptable in many circles to debate whether the world's only Jewish state has a right to exist. Or to insist that the Middle East's turmoil would be resolved if only that Jewish state would make peace with its enemies by conceding to their demands. Or to claim with a straight face, when Israel defends itself against Arab and Islamist violence, that it is behaving as the Nazis did.

This helps explain why anti-Semitism soared in recent years even as Palestinian terrorism against Israel soared. For if Zionists are tantamount to Nazis – if the Jewish state is the equivalent of Hitler's Germany – then decent people everywhere must oppose it. Through endless repetition of the most odious "Israelis = Nazis" canards, the memory of the most lethal horror ever inflicted on the Jewish people has been transmuted into a new bludgeon with which to batter them. Meanwhile, waves of incitement build against the largest Jewish community on the planet, whipped up by enemies who make no secret of their ultimate goal: to annihilate it.

Thus does the old plague bacillus of anti-Semitism mutate and flourish once again, in the very shadow of the Holocaust memorials put up as a warning of what unchecked Jew-hatred can lead to. Truly, it is diabolical.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 15

(10)
Estelle carlson,
August 23, 2017 12:55 AM

I am interested in moving to Mexico for financial reasons I feel that this can live my live out could mfortsbly

But I need to know more about the Jewish community...where it is most prevalent and more of the reformed movement and finances. How much it could cost per year to live comfortably

(9)
Regine Z,
May 7, 2014 12:15 AM

ENVY is another word for DEVIL

As a daughter of Holocaust survivors (Nazis and Soviets, not much difference) and myself born in a refugee camp in Germany, I know how HUGE antisemetism really is. Just look at what the Jews have done with a deserted tiny strip of what looked like wasteland, how they created a dynamic powerhouse of a country in little over 60 years. Seen that happen in the history of the world? Murderous jealousy comes from the collective conscience of human nature and cannot be eradicated. Only Jews can save themselves, unfortunately that's the one thing we're not good at, as history has shown us so many times. Does anyone think if the Jews of Europe had been armed, that the Shoah would not have been as devastating? It's incredible how many Jews in America seem to suffer from Stockholm syndrome - delusional.

Irv Dain,
December 7, 2014 3:24 PM

NEVER AGAIN

Anti-Semitism still exists

Stephen Wolfe,
December 24, 2014 8:47 PM

The concept of hatered is growing so fast in America. We must remember.

That's right! Never again!

(8)
David Kaliski,
May 1, 2014 2:39 PM

murder, not extermination

We must not use the nazi term extermination. Jews are not vermin as the word implies.The Jews were murdered.

(7)
scott,
May 1, 2014 1:34 PM

Do something.

Yeah Antisemitism stinks. But it's not really news. Hashem told us that we would be the smallest of nations and no one would like us. So in a way, it's a blessing to know that G*d's words are true.

Am I saying we should sit idly by? No. We are commanded to kill Amalek, which is how I see the expression of antisemitism, the heritage of Amalek.

So what am I saying? We are commanded to fear Hashem, not Amalek. Stop complaining about antisemitism or presenting the fact of antisemitism as news. Tell us what to do. How to protect ourselves. And for the love of all that is holy tell Jews to get to Israel where we can stand as one people and defend ourselves in the land that G*d commanded us to occupy. If you choose to live in the lands where Jews are hated-seriously who is to blame here? It's not like G*d didn't tell you what the deal is.

What else am I saying? Stand as one people. A people where we do not allow special people to avoid defending their people because they have a tradition of not doing so. When G*d ordered us to send an army against Midian he ordered thousands from all of Israel giving no exception for the Levites and sending the high priest along as well. If G*d ordered the high priest and the Levites who had no holding the the land to stand against Midian, how can anyone claim that any Jew over 20 years old is exempt from service for any reason?

If we stand as one people in Israel-as flawed as we might be-I really don't think we need be afraid. We have G*d on our side.

Regina,
May 4, 2014 9:51 PM

Strong statement

Scott, you make some excellent points. Trust in Hashem and "Am Echad, Lev Echad" - if we could manage this, we wouldn't have to worry about the hatred that surrounds us. How do we cultivate unity?

(6)
Lois Homer,
April 30, 2014 5:51 PM

Stand up to anti-semitism, bigotry, racism

One day at lunch during work, my boss and I sat with a bunch of guys and one older man began shooting his mouth off about various nonense, his girlfriend, his wife, and then he mentioned the Jews who jewed him down on merchandise and other garbage. I spoke up in a very loud voice, almost shouting, 'I'M JEWISH!' That was all I had to say because that man shut up like a clam and the room got quieter than a library. His face turned beet red and no one spoke one word for the rest of the meal. Afterwards my boss told me that he felt bad because he liked me and didn't know I was Jewish. "Funny you don't look Jewish" so it's ok to talk trash about Jewish people? Not in my book. My daughter spoke up to a rude manager of a record shop years ago when he made a racist remark at her Afro American friend. I was proud of her. As for that jerk in the lunchroom, I didn't have to say another word because I made him look like the jackass he was.

(5)
Anonymous,
April 29, 2014 7:44 PM

its more than that

Comparing Jews to Nazis is, somehow, a way of saying they deserved the Holocaust. It is like blaming the Jews for the Holocaust, in retrospective.

John Rob,
April 30, 2014 11:19 AM

My own family, but not in my home .

My extended family are full of hate towards all things Jewish .The twisted minds of such haters stops at nothing to defame and injure any one who loves Judaism .They as xians and my brother in law the son of a Nazi are proud of their Adolph. I couldn't even attend the funeral of my mother .who was as twisted as them before she died .I believe it is envy more than hate they know the Jewish people are HaShem's chosen .

(4)
Sheila Novitz,
April 29, 2014 4:35 PM

Theft has always accompanied anti-Semitism

It's perfectly true that "Hitler's purpose in exterminating the Jews was for the Jews to be exterminated." It's also important to recall, however, that extermination and expulsion of our people, even pogroms, have always been accompanied by theft of our land, our jobs, our houses and our belongings including finances. "Golden Harvest" by Jan T Gross gives us perfect examples of this. Those who persecute us always have talked of "Jewish gold", "Jewish money", and have done all they could to rip our legitimate possessions from us. They are obsessed with the idea that we have "money" and "gold." Good evidence of this is that, still today, Polish peasants ransack the earth inside and outside Treblinka, unearthing skulls and bones of our people, hoping to find "Jewish gold." That this obsession is a stain on Poland goes unnoticed, and it is even condoned by Polish Catholic clergy. It is also important to recall that when our people were expelled from Arab countries (at the creation of Israel), they had to leave without possessions. The Arabs kept everything. Why has this been ignored by the entire world?

(3)
Robin Rosenblatt,
April 29, 2014 4:19 PM

American Jews who love their children unconditionally

American Jews who love their children unconditionally. Love Israel conditionally only if Israel does and behaves, as they want. If Israel violates one of those imposed conditions these Jews turn to helping the Palestinians who want to kill every Israeli and Jew.

If you love Israel unconditionally you won’t abandon and betray Israel as many of you have done.

If you stand up for yourselves and Israel you will be respected. If you don’t you will be seen as weak and disrespected and Anti Semitism increases.

That means you support Israel no matter which Government is in control.

(2)
Mati,
April 29, 2014 4:02 AM

A new threat is arising

The New Living Translation bible is nowhere near a translation. Rather it is a paraphrase. Under the guise of being "translated" it is presenting the greatest threat to causing hatred of Jews because of it uses "traditional" antisemitic misinterpretations of Jewish involvedment in the death of Jesus and the plot to kill him. The editors of this book acknowledges that it is not using traditional literal translation techniques in their "translation" but rather "dynamic equivalence translation" which is a different way of interpreting opinion into the text and thereby not be faithful to the text itself.

(1)
Bee,
April 29, 2014 3:49 AM

Only the kooks?

One "kook" was the mayor of the town. B"H he was forced to resign. When someone like this is popular enough to be mayor, that is distressing. The KKK is alive and well.

Sheila Novitz,
April 29, 2014 4:42 PM

Distressing but not surprising

This is distressing but not surprising, because anti-Semitism everywhere is alive and well. All my life I have felt surprised each time a barb has been directed at me. It's about time that we, and I, stopped being surprised. We must just expect it, but this doesn't mean we must not fight back in every possible way! Sad, isn't it, how limited our fight-back has to be. In my country, they are now trying to pass a law whereby racism will have to be tolerated, because the law will say it is not wrong.

This year during Chanukah I will be on a wilderness survival trip, and it will be very difficult to properly celebrate the holiday. I certainty won't be able to bring along a Menorah.

So if I am going to celebrate only one day of Chanukah, which is the most significant?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

If a person can only celebrate one day of Chanukah, he should celebrate the first day.

This is similar to a case where a person is in prison, and the authorities agree to permit him to go to synagogue one day. The law is that he should go at the first opportunity, and not wait for a more important day like the High Holidays.

The reason is because one should not allow the opportunity of a mitzvah to pass. Moreover, it is quite conceivable that circumstances will later change and allow for additional observance. Therefore, we do not let the first chance pass. (Sources: Code of Jewish Law OC 90, Mishnah Berurah 28.)

As an important aside, Chanukah candles must be lit in (or at the entrance to) a home rather than out of doors. Thus, you should not light in actual "wilderness," but only after you've pitched your tent for the night.

There may be another reason why the first night is the one to focus on. Chanukah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the one-day supply of oil that miraculously burned for eight days. But if you think about it, since there was enough oil to burn naturally for one night, nothing miraculous happened on that first night! So why shouldn't Chanukah be just seven days?!

There are many wonderful answers given to this question, highlighting the special aspect of the first day. Here are a few:

1) True, the miracle of the oil did not begin until the second day, and lasted for only seven days. But the Sages designated the first day of Chanukah in commemoration of the miraculous military victory.

2) Having returned to the Temple and found it in shambles, the Jews had no logical reason to think they would find any pure oil. The fact that the Maccabees didn't give up hope, and then actually found any pure oil at all, is in itself a miracle.

3) The Sages chose Chanukah, a festival that revolves around oil's ability to burn, as the time to teach the fundamental truth that even so-called "natural" events take place only because God wants them to.

The Talmudic Sage Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa expressed this truth in explaining a miracle that occurred in his own home. Once, his daughter realized that she had lit the Shabbos candles with vinegar instead of oil. Rabbi Chanina calmed her, saying, "Why are you concerned! The One Who commanded oil to burn, can also command vinegar to burn!" The Talmud goes on to say that those Shabbos lights burned bright for many hours (Taanit 25a).

To drive this truth home, the Sages decreed that Chanukah be observed for eight days: The last seven to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah, and the first to remind us that even the “normal” burning of oil is only in obedience to God's wish.

In closing, I'm not sure what's stopping you from celebrating more than one day? At a minimum, you can light one candle sometime during the evening, and that fulfills the mitzvah of Chanukah - no “official Menorah” necessary. With so much joy to be had, why limit yourself to one night only?!

In 165 BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Greek army and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Finding only one jar of pure oil, they lit the Menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. Also on this day -- 1,100 years earlier -- Moses and the Jewish people completed construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied them during 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle was not dedicated, however, for another three months; tradition says that the day of Kislev 25 was then "compensated" centuries later -- when the miracle of Chanukah occurred and the Temple was rededicated. Today, Jews around the world light a Chanukah menorah, to commemorate the miracle of the oil, and its message that continues to illuminate our lives today.

A person who utilizes suffering to arouse himself in spiritual matters will find consolation. He will recognize that even though the suffering was difficult for him, it nevertheless helped him for eternity.

When you see yourself growing spiritually through your suffering, you will even be able to feel joy because of that suffering.

They established these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great Name(Siddur).

Jewish history is replete with miracles that transcend the miracle of the Menorah. Why is the latter so prominently celebrated while the others are relegated to relative obscurity?

Perhaps the reason is that most other miracles were Divinely initiated; i.e. God intervened to suspend the laws of nature in order to save His people from calamity.

The miracle of the Menorah was something different. Having defeated the Seleucid Greek invaders, the triumphant Jews entered the Sanctuary. There they found that they could light the Menorah for only one day, due to a lack of undefiled oil. Further, they had no chance of replenishing the supply for eight days. They did light the Menorah anyway, reasoning that it was best to do what was within their ability to do and to postpone worrying about the next day until such worry was appropriate. This decision elicited a Divine response and the Menorah stayed lit for that day and for seven more.

This miracle was thus initiated by the Jews themselves, and the incident was set down as a teaching for all future generations: concentrate your efforts on what you can do, and do it! Leave the rest to God.

While even our best and most sincere efforts do not necessarily bring about miracles, the teaching is nevertheless valid. Even the likelihood of failure in the future should not discourage us from any constructive action that we can take now.

Today I shall...

focus my attention on what it is that I can do now, and do it to the best of my ability.

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